Israelis, Palestinians react to U.S. passport law

Tuesday, June 09, 2015 - 01:26

Mixed feelings in Jerusalem, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a law that would let American citizens born in Jerusalem have Israel listed in passports as their country of birth. Jillian Kitchener reports.

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American citizens born in Jerusalem can no longer say they were also born in Israel - at least not in their passports.
This week the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a law that would let Americans born in Jerusalem, have Israel listed as their country of birth. The decison is being greeted with both disappointment and joy across the Holy City
Ari Zivotofsky helped wage a battle on their son's behalf, hoping to have his passport read; Israel.
(SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) FATHER OF MENACHEM ZIVOTOFSKY, ARI ZIVOTOFSKY, SAYING:
"In our case, what is important is that the United States does not recognise Israel's ownership of Jerusalem, not in the east and not even in the west."
The holy city is claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians.
The Obama administration had said if the passport law were enforced it would cause "irreversible damage" to America's ability to influence the region's peace process.
But Palestinian Chief Negotiator, Saeb Erekat, says he hopes the top court's decision will send a message to the Israelis.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PALESTINIAN CHIEF NEGOTIATOR, SAEB EREKAT, SAYING:
"I hope that the American high court decision would be a message to the Israeli government that East Jerusalem is occupied territories..."
But many Palestinians in Jerusalem believe it will make little difference to the status quo.
This man says Washington will ultimately side with Israel...no matter what the Supreme court says.

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